Anyone suffer from RSI / Carpal Tunnel?

jonny2510

I've been getting RSI like twinges in right hand wrist for about 18 months now (I "think" it's mouse related, and not keyboard).

I've spent last 6-12 months using left hand for mouse, and now that one's starting to ache too.

Does anyone else her suffer, from RSI / Carpal Tunnel?

Anyone have any miracle cures(other than don't use comp!) or know of any good helpful resources for more info?

Any recommendations on keyboard and mouse, specifically designed for RSI sufferers (I need new ones anyway)?

Someone did mention alternating between mouse and keyboard???

Other things I heard about were wrist supports (to sleep in) and power balls???

All advice will be gratefully received

XDA

jonny2510 wrote: »

I've been getting RSI like twinges in right hand wrist for about 18 months now (I "think" it's mouse related, and not keyboard).

I've spent last 6-12 months using left hand for mouse, and now that one's starting to ache too.

Does anyone else her suffer, from RSI / Carpal Tunnel?

Anyone have any miracle cures(other than don't use comp!) or know of any good helpful resources for more info?

Any recommendations on keyboard and mouse, specifically designed for RSI sufferers (I need new ones anyway)?

Someone did mention alternating between mouse and keyboard???

Other things I heard about were wrist supports (to sleep in) and power balls???

All advice will be gratefully received

My dad has Carpal Tunnel but this was from years of farm work.

He had an operation on his hands, and I think they cut the tendons are something. I think that sorted it but he still suffers with pain I think.

jonny2510

I forgot to mention,

I'll be starting to use the workrave (forced break software) as of tonight...

esuhl

After the pain in my hands got worse, work bought me a Perfit Contour Mouse, which is a lot better than a "normal" mouse. They cost about £90, however. I later bought a Logitech Marble Mouse (which is actually a trackball) for £18 and it's much better than the Perfit mouse. I can even use it with my left hand, which helped a lot too. In fact, my RSI has almost gone completely.

I also found that the Microsoft Internet Keyboard, which I got for less than £10, is much more ergonomic than the standard keyboards.

Robin_T_Cox

The best thing is to see your doctor and get medical advice. My wife suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists, but a couple of simple operations have removed all the pain and restored her normal functionality.

trcooke

I have recently changed my keyboard to a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic keyboard and so far I am finding it a lot more comfortable than the regular keyboard I had before.

Like you I find that the mouse is the biggest offender for giving me rsi like pains. I've been looking around for a new mouse and have decided that a tablet is the way to go. Next week (when I get paid) I'll be getting myself a Wacom Bamboo tablet. I'll let you know how it is.

jonny2510

trcooke wrote: »

I have recently changed my keyboard to a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic keyboard and so far I am finding it a lot more comfortable than the regular keyboard I had before.

Like you I find that the mouse is the biggest offender for giving me rsi like pains. I've been looking around for a new mouse and have decided that a tablet is the way to go. Next week (when I get paid) I'll be getting myself a Wacom Bamboo tablet. I'll let you know how it is.

How have you found the transition over to the new keyboard?

I heard someone else advise that he'd heard of others who suffer RSI alternating between a tablet and a mouse.

I'd also be really interested to know:

• how much the tablet is/if it has good reviews/has come recomended?
• once you have it how you find using it (as a pointing device)?
• if you find it improves the RSI any

If you don't mind that is

I've also thought of trying the powerball as a rehabilitation device. They're £10 to £20, and ("apparently") only need to be used for 5 mins a day (per wrist) to provide relief. Even if it doesn't work it looks like a pretty cool toy none the less!

Thanks for the input so far everyone

Marty_J

I used to get quite bad cramps in my mouse hand, but I got myself a mousepad with a gel wrist-rest. It's a lot more comfortable to use now. The new Apple keyboards are also super-nice to type on as you don't have to push the keys down too far.

Try rolling up a towel and putting it under your wrist.

tweeter

[SIZE=+1] I had an operation in Guys hospital on both wrists[/SIZE][SIZE=+1] for Carpal Tunnel syndrome[/SIZE][SIZE=+1].The symptoms were pins and needles in the thumb, index,and middle finger in the day, which also woke me up in the night by going numb.

I get the odd twinge, but found that if I put two hands together with fingers lightly interlaced and as wide apart as possible, and press one hand [/SIZE][SIZE=+1]as [/SIZE][SIZE=+1]far back with the other hand, and hold it for a short while, the twinge vanished.I would do this through the day and usually everything would settle down for a while.
[/SIZE][SIZE=+1]
[/SIZE]

jonny2510

tweeter wrote: »

[SIZE=+1] which also woke me up in the night by going numb.
[/SIZE]

I do sometimes wake up early morning with twinges.

I have a mouse mat with a gel filled wrist wrest, but was thinking of also getting a keyboard one.

-BA-

I actually suffer from (just to be different ) cubital tunnel syndrome. Basically it is where pressure on the ulnar nerve which travels around the outside of the elbow joint causes the same pins and needles and loss of feeling only this time in the ring and little finger. I also get the numbness travel part way up my arm. This is mostly from typing where my elbow sits right on the edge of the desk. I now use a gel mat to lean my left elbow on and this has sorted most of the problems.